Cross-border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand escalated for a fourth consecutive day on Sunday, defying calls for peace and a ceasefire announcement brokered hours earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The clashes—centered around the disputed Preah Vihear border region—have claimed at least 32 lives and displaced over 200,000 people across both nations. Despite mounting international pressure from the United Nations, China, and the United States, shelling and airstrikes continued into the weekend.
Diplomacy in Tension President Trump said he had spoken directly with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities. “They have agreed to quickly work out a ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!” Trump posted on Truth Social, while warning that failure to stop the violence could threaten trade negotiations with Washington.
Earlier this month, Trump sent letters to both governments, threatening a 36% tariff on key exports starting August 1. Both Thailand and Cambodia reportedly offered concessions in hopes of salvaging their trade prospects.
Thailand Pushes Back Hours after the announcement, Thailand insisted it was “not ready” to halt military operations, accusing Cambodian forces of shelling civilian areas in Surin province. “Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is repeatedly violating the principles of human rights and humanitarian law,” Thailand’s Foreign Ministry stated.
Thailand launched drone and aerial bomb attacks across the Cambodian border early Sunday, hitting sites near the ancient Preah Vihear temple—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and igniting fears of further cultural and civilian damage.
Casualties Mount Thai officials report 19 fatalities, mostly civilians, and more than 138,000 displaced across six provinces. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry claims 13 dead, including 8 civilians, and over 80,000 displaced in Oddar Meanchey province.
Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata of Cambodia condemned the attacks, saying “Our forces are still striking back actively and are not afraid to protect the territory.”
Behind the Rift: Political Undercurrents The conflict is deepened by political strains between key power players. A leaked call between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra—daughter of telecom magnate and ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra—and Cambodia’s Hun Sen stoked outrage in Thailand, leading to Paetongtarn’s suspension pending an ethics inquiry.
Hun Sen retaliated with inflammatory social media posts accusing Thaksin of “resorting to war,” while Thaksin countered that Cambodian troops initiated hostilities.
Regional Mediation Falters Thailand declined third-party mediation, proposing direct ministerial talks on conditions for troop withdrawal and disarmament. Meanwhile, Cambodia expressed openness to ceasefire terms previously floated by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Hun Manet reiterated his support for “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” thanking Trump for his involvement.
